The father and brother of the British skiing victim attempted in vain to give her first aid after seeing the 10-year-old career over the edge of the piste and smash into a tree in woods at the Austrian resort.

Police said the girl was knocked unconscious and left very badly hurt after the accident, which happened on Sunday afternoon on the last run of the day at Mayrhofen.

Her mother had returned to the bottom of the mountain by cable car so was not there to witness the accident. A police spokesman said:

After the girl lost control, she began to gain speed. She went faster and faster and sped over the edge of the piste and into the woods. She then hit the tree and was very badly hurt. Her father and brother were behind and they went after her immediately and saw the accident. The family gave her first aid and called the emergency services.